fosteike



(No Model.)

H; A. PONTEINE HARNESS BUCKLE.

Patented May 20, 1884.

/%f flttorney mm wn n. c.

NTTED dramas ntrnmr FFICEQ HERMAN A. FONTEINE, OF AUBURN, NEWV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO SARAH FONTEINE, OF SAME PLACE.

-HARNESS=-BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 299,065, dated May 20, 1884.

Application filed November 1, 1883. (N0 model.)

To all whom/ it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERMAN A. FONTEINE, of Auburn, county of Cayuga, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Harness-Buckles, of which the following is a full and exact description, reference being-had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved buckle, showing the strap applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same, and Fig. 3 is a plan or top view showing the same provided with slotted sides and end for adapting the same for use as a collar and trace buckle.

My invention relates to that class of buckles employing a rigid tongue. These buckles as heretofore constructed have been open to serious objections, as the tongue was so curved-or inclined at such an angle that the strap could ride up and down upon the tongue, and in a short time would elongate the hole in the strap to such an extent as to render the device almost entirely inoperative.

My invention has for its object the remedying of these defects; and to this end my invention consists in constructing the tongue in angle form, whereby that portion of the tongue embraced by the strap shall be at right angles thereto and the forward extension thereof shall lie parallel, or nearly so, therewith.

It also consists in curving the side bars in such manner, in connection with the angular tongue, whereby the portion of the tongue embraced by the strap shall be brought in a direct line with the line of draft, all as will be hereinafter explained.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the buckle is shown as composed of the end bars, A A, and the curved side bars, B. These side bars are curved upward from the bar A in such manner that when the straps are secured thereto the lower face of the bar A shall be on a line, or thereabout, with the lower face of the band that holds the loose end of the trace.

The tongue is formed with the forward bar A, and extends down at right angles therefrom for a distance about equal to the thickness of the trace-strap forming the part 0, at which point it is bent inward toward the center of the buckle, and at right angle to the portion 0, forming a holding portion, 0, the upper face of this portion 0, when the trace is connected to the buckle, lying closely on the trace and parallel therewith.

By this construction and arrangement of parts it will be seen that that portion of the tongue on which the strain is brought passes through the trace at right angles thereto and forms a square seat for the trace, and by curving the side bars, as above described, in connection with the angular tongue, that the hold ing portion of the tongue is brought in a direct line with the line of draft.

It willalso be seen that,by making thetongue in angular form, all liability of the trace being accidentally displaced is effectually prevented.

The tongue is preferably made in oblong form in crosssection, instead of round, as is usual, as it has been found in pra ctiee that this form is more desirable.

In Fig. 3the buckle is shown provided with the slotted side and end bar for adapting the same for use as a collar or trace buckle.

Having now described my invention, I claim 1. A trace-buckle composed of the side and end bars, and having a rigid tongue depending from one of its end bars, made in angle form, whereby the draft portion of the tongue shall be at right angles to the end bar, with its end portion at right angles to the draft portion, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A trace-buckle made in rectangular form, and having the curved side bars, in combination with the rigid tongue depending from the end bar, made in angle form, and having the draft portion at right angles to the end bar and its end portion at right angles to the draft portion, substantially as and for the purpose described.

HERMAN A. FONTEINE.

Witnesses:

J. ROSECRANS,

THEO. A. KosTERs. 

